SAM Allardyce hailed Jay-Jay Okocha's wonder strike as the `goal of the season' after Bolton put themselves within 90 minutes of a place in next month's Carling Cup Final.

Okocha, who leaves to join up with the Nigeria squad today for African Nations' duty, played an instrumental role in Bolton's 5-2 victory over Aston Villa, scoring twice and helping win the midfield battle.

It was his second goal, though, that left everyone talking at The Reebok - an unstoppable, swerving shot that ripped past Thomas Sorenson.

"Goal of the season," declared the Bolton chief. "It was just unstoppable. Maybe David O'Leary will be a little disappointed with his wall but from where I was stood you could see that he meant it.

"Jay-Jay has hit it with the outside of his foot and it has just whizzed into the top corner. If you can tell me about or show me a better goal than that, I simply won't believe it.

Awesome

"If he doesn't get the credit he deserves for that one, then I don't know what he will need to do because it was an awesome goal and for us it has given us the extra goal, which could be the ultimate difference."

For his part, Okocha admitted that he had felt unusually tense before the game, especially with all the talk of new contracts and international call-ups that have surrounded him in recent weeks.

"I had a bit of pressure to leave the supporters something to remember me by and I am so glad that I was able to score two goals and help us win the game," said Okocha.

"The second one was a good one because nobody expected me to shoot from there and the angle that it was on. But I saw the wall and fancied that I had a chance. I had a go and went in.

"We went three-up and then got pegged back. When it got to 5-2, I just wanted to keep the ball and see the game out. But everyone gave their best for the team.

"We desperately wanted to win and I think you could see that. We have done ourselves a great favour by getting three goals in front and now we have something to protect. Hopefully we have done enough but it is not over yet.

"We will have to fight very hard. I have great confidence in the boys. It is a team game and not down to just one player. There are a lot of good midfield players here and I don't think I will be missed."